Meet Dr. Denise Kent
Denise Kent, PhD, APRN, and associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, is a nurse researcher, committed to improving the lives of those affected by illness. Dr. Kent’s research is centered around researching best practices for the return of individual research results. Dr. Kent is the principal investigator of the RECEIVE Study funded by the American Lung Association (ALA) and co-investigator in the RECOVER Study (trans-NIH funded initiative to address Long COVID) and the Lung Health Cohort Study funded by the ALA. Dr. Kent research focuses on increasing recruitment and retention for clinical research (especially among underrepresented groups).
Dr. Kent is also dedicated to teaching the next generation of nurses as evidenced by her years of teaching in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at UIC. Dr. Kent has more than 17 years of teaching experience. She brings authenticity, transparency, and inclusivity to the classroom, as highlighted in an online publication by the UIC Center for Advancement for Teaching Excellence on teaching innovation. Dr. Kent inspires her students to obtain the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive positive health outcomes for all. She believes strongly in the mantra “lead by example.” Leaders are not born, they are created; and she encourages her students to think like leaders.
Dr. Kent is committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our college through her efforts as a Change Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). As a champion for DEI, Dr. Kent worked to establish department priorities that are in line with the CON strategic plan.
Nursing is a service profession and Dr. Kent’s faculty role is no different. Dr. Kent is an honors college fellow and participates in several college committees. Outside of the University, Dr. Kent is active member of Midwest Nursing Research Society where she serves an award reviewer. Dr. Kent also volunteers at Breakthrough in the East Garfield Park neighborhood to help members of that community struggling with food insecurities. Dr. Kent brings her passion for nursing to her research, teaching and service endeavors. Dr. Kent received her BSN degree from Northern (’00) and MS/Family Nurse Practitioner degree (’04) and PhD in Nursing (’11) from UIC.